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ulrikedg's review against another edition
Big oof on the racism, and not just period appropriate stuff. I absolutely expect racism from the characters. I don't expect it from the author. Wilkie Collins wrote The Moonstone over a century before Elizabeth Peters wrote Crocodile on the Sandbank, and he managed to be much less racist.
I was hoping for a cozy mystery that would allow me to enjoy Barbara Rosenblat narration. This isn't it. DNF @ 37%.
I was hoping for a cozy mystery that would allow me to enjoy Barbara Rosenblat narration. This isn't it. DNF @ 37%.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, and Sexism
evanmilner's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
mirificmoxie's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
duriangray's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
rebelmouse's review against another edition
3.0
I did enjoy this book, but unfortunately it was not the rip-roaring read I was hoping for. I had guessed the answer to the ending way before I was anywhere near the end of the book and therefore felt a little frustrated that the characters in the book had not also guessed.
I will try another of these books in the series, but not right now.
I will try another of these books in the series, but not right now.
annievannie's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
ergative's review against another edition
4.0
Gosh, what fun! It is definitely of its time, so the reader is advised to prepare for some very British colonialism and orientalism (lots of comments on the nature of the Egyptian native, plus a bit of anti-Italian bigotry for fun), but if you meet it where it is, the narrative is a delight. Amelia Peabody is the perfect embodiment of an English lady who is perfectly certain she can do no wrong, be it mixing up archaeological preservatives, or a bit of light amputation, and she never hesitates to tell you so. The snooty reactions of Amelia and her friends to the marauding mummy tormenting them are a delightful commentary on gothic horror stories: everyone is absolutely confident that someone is dressing up as a mummy to some purpose, but who? It must be a European; the Egyptians wouldn't be so influenced by those tedious supernatural mystery tales--but to what purpose. And yet the book is rife with tropes all the same: ladies faint constantly; men take noble wounds saving the ladies from danger and must be nursed back to health; kidnappings; rescues; swoons; love; missing wills; and, of course, a marauding mummy. I laughed constantly throughout the entire thing.
I am also extremely aware that, as a modern reader, I had quite a bit of sympathy for the alternative narrative that was being dismissed out of hand. Because the colonialism is pretty rough. At one point the Europeans are outraged that the local villagers are refusing to work for them out of some 'primitive superstitious fear' of the marauding mummy, and fume in righteous indignation at such disobedience. Excuse me? You can't compel people to work for you if they don't want to. You're offering to hire them, and they're saying no. They're allowed to do that! A very different story would be told in a modern book, and I would love to read that tale. Can you imagine a more delightful book than one in which a village of Egyptians is sick and tired of Europeans barging in on them, demanding their labour to excavate their local tombs and run off with the antiquities, and so the village concocts a plot to dress up as marauding mummies to scare off the Europeans? I'd love to read that book! That's not the book we've got here, but it would be a cracking good tale all the same.
I am also extremely aware that, as a modern reader, I had quite a bit of sympathy for the alternative narrative that was being dismissed out of hand. Because the colonialism is pretty rough. At one point the Europeans are outraged that the local villagers are refusing to work for them out of some 'primitive superstitious fear' of the marauding mummy, and fume in righteous indignation at such disobedience. Excuse me? You can't compel people to work for you if they don't want to. You're offering to hire them, and they're saying no. They're allowed to do that! A very different story would be told in a modern book, and I would love to read that tale. Can you imagine a more delightful book than one in which a village of Egyptians is sick and tired of Europeans barging in on them, demanding their labour to excavate their local tombs and run off with the antiquities, and so the village concocts a plot to dress up as marauding mummies to scare off the Europeans? I'd love to read that book! That's not the book we've got here, but it would be a cracking good tale all the same.
winemakerssister's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
Charming! Miss Amelia Peabody is a force of nature. ;)
Cover: Okay.
Narrator: Too old, but otherwise a wonderful job.
Hogwarts Sorting Hat: They're both Ravenclaws.
Themes: Egypt, antiquities, archeology
Charming! Miss Amelia Peabody is a force of nature. ;)
Cover: Okay.
Narrator: Too old, but otherwise a wonderful job.
Hogwarts Sorting Hat: They're both Ravenclaws.
Themes: Egypt, antiquities, archeology